Pages

Since H&M opened its doors a little while back now, I've only ventured into the iconic GPO store ... once. Even though my uni was about 10 minutes from it, and people have raved on about it, I just haven't had the guts to go back. Especially because when I did try to go, I stood in the rain for 15 minutes and when I finally entered the store, I didn't see a single thing I liked, and anything that vaguely looked like something I'd like to purchase looked bad quality.

Alas, I'm sitting here typing this post in a warm woolie jumper and home boots, freezing my ass off and inadvertently browsing through the H&M website because something popped up on my Facebook feed about it. Suddenly I have the urge to take the train into the city and throw all my money at this large European fashion retail giant because I see a lot of Winter stuff that I want & need am totally drooling over but probably don't need...

Here are some of my top picks from the H&M website, all of them are under $70 which is amazeballs!!!

'Tis Winter! 'Tis the season to snuggle up under the doona at night, drink hot tea, wear woollen accessories and not want to get out of bed in the morning ever, no never. Anyone in Melbourne knows though, that the art of layering is essential to regulating your body temperature because what can start out as a frosty morning can turn into a sunny day and wearing a gigantic jumper and thermals underneath can soon feel like you're a marshmallow being roasted alive.

Anyway, this is my version of layering - white shirt + fluffy knit + long military coat + leather pants + a hat. Wore this outfit last week in an attempt to look effortlessly warm, but also classy. Hashtag-fashion-blogger.

Speaking of which, it seems the term 'fashion blogger' has really changed over the last few years. I'm more and more reluctant to even class myself as a 'blogger' despite the fact I've had this humble blog since the beginning of 2010. People are now calling themselves fashion bloggers/stylists & seem to believe that wearing the newest collections of the most high-end popular brands, being sent free clothes from obscure online boutiques in order to advertise for them, owning a DSLR, overhead artsy shots of a cafe breakfast, sharing "trends" that have been around for months and posing in fancy dresses and heels in front of a picturesque wall or park makes them a 'stylist'.

Now don't get me wrong, I have so much respect for so many bloggers out there that have made a name for themselves. It just seems that some 'bloggers' have a different purpose to the one I had when I started out - all I wanted to do was create an online space so I could share my outfits, fashion inspiration and pretty pictures I liked. And if people liked it, so be it. I never attempted to be a stylist or style icon for anybody else and did it all to please me.

Nowadays for some it's all about trying to catch the attention of designers and PR companies, while trying to get as many followers as possible and wear the most expensive brands and be super pro at make up and having the most aesthetically pleasing pictures and even their Instagrams are carefully constructed highlights on their movie reel. It just doesn't seem real. And that's what I used to love about reading blogs. *le sigh*

Anyway. Rant over. I have officially finished my Bachelor of Music, with the completion of my piano recital yesterday. It was an amazing feeling to perform in front of my fam & friends on a beautiful Steinway grand. There's a photo on insta if you want to see :)

So it's swotvac, which is study-vacation for those who don't know. A week off from uni supposedly for cramming & studying and planning for uni exams. Sadly, many I know seem to start online shopping, baking & eating, and procrastinating during these times, ha.

So naturally I bought two Aje catara skirts, as you do. I'd been lusting over them for ages, and I don't know why but I suddenly just decided to go for it! I have to say they are incredible pieces of clothing. I'm planning to wear one tonight, to my boyfriend's b'day dinner. The little outfit idea above is one I would love to wear out, (and also a bit of a wishlist, hello A. Wang clutch!) - black sequin skirt, drapey white shirt and comfy ass kicks. That's my kinda style! Now to find a decent affordable knock-off of that YSL jacket...hmm...

Happy long weekend for all us lucky Victorians! It's the Queen's birthday weekend, so that means DAY OFF MONDAY :)

I recently celebrated 2 years of going out with my wonderful boyfriend, Justin. We went to Werribee Mansion Hotel & Spa for a night, with the description of a pool/spa/lounge area and beautiful gardens persuading us. We later found out the Mansion used to be a priest school, ha.

We arrived around dinner time, to find a clean and open hotel room with a well-lit bathroom. We'd pre-prepared dinner and brought some pizzas with us (hey, Saturday is cheat day and we wanted pizzas ok!) which we happily ate there. During the night we also tried out the pool/spa. It was beauuuutiful. I wish I'd taken some photos of it but I didn't. There were deck chairs and fresh towels, and the spa was super relaxing.

To finish off our stay we checked out in the morning and went for a walk all around the gardens, admiring the greenhouses, plants and of course the architecture of the mansion. I'd definitely recommend it if you want a quiet getaway that is both relaxing and close to nature :)